As a child, I didn't have the opportunity to do the Rookie Lifeguard Awards - after 25 years of lifesaving as an adult, I think it's time to put that right!

On Sun 12 Oct I'm raising money for Jubilee Pool by completing my Rookie Masters Award - all in one go! I'm aiming to complete:

• Rookie Bronze stages 1, 2 & 3

• Rookie Silver stages 1, 2 & 3

• Rookie Gold stages 1, 2 & 3

• Rookie Water Safety Award

• Rookie Life Support

• Rookie Sport Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold)

• Rookie Communications Award

• Rookie First Aid Award

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Over the course of this challenge, I'll swim a combined total of over 140 lengths, tread water for 12 minutes, and effect over 30 separate rescues. I'm tackling this challenge as part of the "Jubilee-athon" - a 24hr fundraising swimming relay at our local pool.

Jubilee Pool is Bristol’s first community-run swimming pool, and the home of Bristol Life Saving Club (which I helped launch in Sept 2023). Prior to being brought into community ownership, the pool had been threatened with closure for many years. As a result, the pool has been underfunded and neglected for the past decade. There is a backlog of essential repairs required to the pool. including repairs to the roof, upgrades to the plant equipment and improvements to the building’s accessibility.